Protective enclosure for an electronic device

ABSTRACT

A protective enclosure for an electronic device includes a back structural member configured to connect with a front structural member, the back and front structural member connected with clasping features and forming a hard shell shaped to and surrounding an installed electronic device. An external cushion member can be disposed over the hard shell of the protective enclosure. An internal cushion member can be lined in between the back structural member and the electronic device. The front structural member can include a portion that extends over the touchscreen of the installed electronic device, the portion of the front structural member that extends over the touchscreen of the installed electronic device having the same material as the remaining portion of the front structural member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/976,375, filed Dec. 21, 2015, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application 62/194,242, filed Jul. 19, 2015, and U.S.Provisional Application 62/202,681, filed Aug. 7, 2015, which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Various types of electronic devices currently exist for communicationsand entertainment purposes. More and more, consumers are usingelectronic devices during travel adventures, extreme work conditions,and in other various environments where the electronic devices could beexposed to dirt, dust, impact, drops, and/or other damaging forces. Theelectronic devices can include various types of mobile phone,smartphone, tablet computer, personal digital assistant, camera, GPStracker, health monitor, medical device, and/or other types ofelectronic devices. These devices often include touchscreens, scrollwheels, switches, buttons, or other interactive controls. Due to thesensitive nature of these electronic devices, it is desirable to provideprotection for these devices so that they can be used in variousenvironments that the consumer desires.

SUMMARY

A protective enclosure for an electronic device is provided. Theprotective enclosure is configured such that the electronic device canfit within the protective enclosure and be protected from drops, shocks,damage, misuse, dirt, debris, and the like. In certain instances, theprotective enclosure can include a back structural member that snapstogether with a front structural member to enclose the electronicdevice. A first cushioning member can be disposed over the back andfront structural members to cushion the electronic device whileinstalled in the protective enclosure. In certain instances, the backstructural member and the first cushioning member can include at leastone opening for access to a feature on the back surface of theelectronic device. In certain instances, the openings in the backstructural member and the opening in the first cushioning member can bealigned.

In another aspect, a protective enclosure for an electronic device isprovided. The protective enclosure can include a hard shell thatincludes a front member and a back member, an external cushioning membersurrounding the hard shell, and an internal cushioning member disposedbetween the back surface of the electronic device and the internalsurface of the back member of the hard shell, the internal cushioningmember covering the back surface and side surfaces of the electronicdevice. In certain aspects, an opening is present in the back member ofthe hard shell, an opening is present in the external cushioning memberthat aligns with the opening in the back member. In certain aspects, aportion of the internal cushioning member extends through the openingsof the back member of the hard shell and the external cushioning member,the portion of the internal cushioning member aligning with the an outersurface of the external cushioning member.

In another aspect, a protective enclosure is provided having a hardshell with first and second shell members that cover and surround anelectronic device. A first cushion layer can be disposed over a portionof the hard shell to cushion and protect the electronic device withinthe hard shell. A second cushion layer can be disposed between theelectronic device and the shell member that covers the back surface andthe side surfaces of the electronic device. Openings in the hard shelland the first cushion layer can be provided and aligned along the backsurface of the electronic device to allow access to a feature of theelectronic device. In some elements, the feature on the back surface ofthe electronic device can be a camera and flash combination. The secondcushion layer can include a perimeter portion around an opening thatalso aligns with the first cushion member and the hard shell. Theperimeter portion can be configured to extend through the openings ofthe protective enclosure and make contact with the first cushion layerthat surrounds the hard shell of the protective enclosure.

In certain embodiments, the front member and back member of the hardshell can be connected with corresponding snap connections on the frontmember and back member of the hard shell. The corresponding snapconnections can be located along any side of the protective enclosureand in some embodiments the protective enclosure can have a plurality ofsnap connections along the side and top of the protective enclosure.

In certain embodiments, the external cushion layer can expose the snapconnection or corresponding snap connections of the hard shell of theprotective enclosure. The external cushion layer can include aprotective portion that extends from the external cushion layer andsurrounds the exposed corresponding snap connections of the hard shell.The protective portions of the external cushion layer can extend beyondthe corresponding snap connections of the hard shell and protect thesnap connections from any external surfaces that the protectiveenclosure may encounter.

In certain embodiments, a flexible membrane can be included with theprotective enclosure. The flexible membrane can be configured to cover atouchscreen of the electronic device and can be attached to an innersurface of the front member of the hard shell. In certain embodiments,the membrane of the protective enclosure can be the same part and/ormade of the same material as the front structural member.

In certain embodiments, the connected front member and back member ofthe hard shell can provide openings for aspects of the electronic devicealong the side portions of the electronic device. The openings canaccommodate access to functional features and control features of anelectronic device. The openings can be positioned to provide access tosuch things as speakers, headphone jack access, silence toggle switch,volume controls, power controls, and the like of the electronic device.When aligned with the control feature of the electronic device, theopenings allow functional access to the control feature of theelectronic device while the electronic device remains housed andretained within the protective enclosure.

In certain embodiments, the front structural member can provide aprotective rim surrounding the touchscreen of the electronic device whenthe electronic device is installed within the protective enclosure. Theprotective rim can be sized to accommodate for a flexible membrane ortouchscreen cover to be installed over the touchscreen of the electronicdevice.

In certain embodiments, the external cushion layer can include a plug orcover for covering the functional features and control features of anelectronic device. These plugs or covers can be sized the same as theopening in the connected front and back members of the hard shell and beretained by the opening of the hard shell, and pulled open when accessis desired to some features of the electronic device.

In certain embodiments, the external cushion layer can provide raisedportions that cover a functional feature of the electronic device. Theseraised features can mimic the size and location of the functionalfeature of the electronic device, including volumes buttons, powerbuttons, and the like.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify essential featuresof the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described and explainedthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a rear isometric exploded view of a protective enclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a rear isometric view of a protective enclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a front isometric view of a protective enclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a rear view of a protective enclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a protective enclosure;

FIG. 6A shows a front view with a cross-section I-I defined of aprotective enclosure;

FIG. 6B shows a cross-section view I-I with a close up section-view IIof a protective enclosure;

FIG. 7 shows a close up section view II of a protective enclosure;

FIG. 8 shows a front isometric exploded view of a protective enclosure;

FIG. 9 shows a front isometric view of a protective enclosure;

FIG. 10 shows a front view of a protective enclosure;

FIG. 11 shows a front isometric view and rear isometric view ofcomponents of a protective enclosure;

FIG. 12 shows a front isometric exploded view of a protective enclosure;

FIG. 13 shows a front isometric view of a front structural member of aprotective enclosure; and

FIG. 14 shows a bottom view of a front structural member of a protectiveenclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, various specific details are setforth in order to provide an understanding of and describe theapparatuses and techniques introduced here. However, the techniques maybe practiced without the specific details set forth in these examples.Various alternatives, modifications, and/or equivalents will be apparentto those skilled in the art without varying from the spirit of theintroduced apparatuses and techniques. For example, while theembodiments described herein refer to particular features, the scope ofthis solution also includes embodiments having different combinations offeatures and embodiments that do not include all of the describedfeatures. Accordingly, the scope of the techniques and solutionsintroduced herein are intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims,together with all equivalents thereof. Therefore, the description shouldnot be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined bythe claims.

The subject matter described herein relates to a protective enclosurefor an electronic device. It is desired to have the electronic deviceprotected from adverse environmental conditions, mishandling, and/ordamage from drops and falls. It is desirable that the protectiveenclosure for the electronic device be a multi-layered case. Theprotective enclosure can be of any appropriate size and dimension solong as it is capable of housing an electronic device and protecting it,for instance from drops and scratches, dust and debris.

Particularly, in certain embodiments, the protective enclosure can be acase for encasing, at least partially, an electronic device, such as amobile phone, smartphone, tablet computer, personal digital assistant,camera, GPS tracker, health monitor, medical device, or the like. Inother instances, the protective enclosure can be part of the electronicdevice, which protects the various components and/or electroniccircuitry of the electronic device. For example, the protectiveenclosure can be or can include the housing of a mobile electronicdevice, or smartphone, which encases the electronic components of theelectronic device.

A protective enclosure of this disclosure can be of any suitable shape,having any suitable size, dependent on the actual dimensions of theelectronic device it is meant to encase. However, in certain instances,the dimensions of one class of protective enclosure can fall within thefollowing ranges. The thickness of various members, whether individuallyor when layered together, can have a thickness of about 25 mm or less,such as 20 mm or less, about 15 mm or less, about 10 mm or less, about 8mm or less, about 5 mm or less, about 4 mm or less, about 3 mm or less,about 2 mm or less, about 1.5 mm, or 1 mm or less, even about 0.1 mm.For example, in various instances, such as where an electronic devicesuch as a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet computer, personal digitalassistant, camera, GPS tracker, health monitor, medical device, or thelike is to be contained within the protective enclosure, the thicknessof a top portion and/or bottom portion and any side portions,individually or layered together, can be less than about 5 mm to evenabout 1 mm thick. However, in other instances, the thickness of variousmembers, whether individually or layered together, can have a thicknessof about 30 mm or more, about 40 mm or more, about 50 mm or more, oreven about 80 mm, or 100 mm or more.

In certain instances, such as where an electronic device such as asmartphone, tablet computer, electronic reader, camera, or video displayis to be contained within the protective enclosure, the weight of anyportion of the protective enclosure, individually or layered together,can be less than about 5 or about 4 ounces, less than about 4 or about 3ounces, or for example less than about 2 or about 1 ounces. However, invarious instances, an enclosure of the disclosure may have a weight andconstruction that is substantially greater than the above, such as morethan about 10 or about 20 ounces, more than about 30 or about 50 ounces,or more than about 60 or about 80 ounces, and including more than about100 ounces.

Further, in certain instances, the length and/or width of the protectiveenclosure may be such that it is no longer or wider than about 22 mm ofthe underlying electronic device it is designed to encase, no longer orwider than about 20 mm or about 15 mm, no longer or wider than about 10mm or 5 mm of the underlying electronic device the protective enclosureis designed to encase. Accordingly, in certain instances, a protectiveenclosure is configured to be substantially form fitting with theelectronic device it is meant to contain. However, in various instances,an enclosure of the disclosure may be substantially longer or wider thanthe dimensions listed above, such as, for instance, longer or wider byabout 75 mm or about 85 mm, or for instance longer or wider by about 100mm than the underlying electronic device the protective enclosure isdesigned to encase.

To ensure the appropriate thickness, length and/or width and/or weightof the protective enclosure have been provided, the electronic devicecan be fitted into the protective enclosure and the protective enclosurecan be tested for its ability to provide shock and drop protection, suchas by experimentally dropping the protective enclosure and electronicdevice. In some instances, the protective enclosure with the electronicdevice housed within can be tested to specific drop standards, or evenmilitary standards, in order to comply with certain specifications setforth by the assertions of the stated protection that the protectiveenclosure can provide the electronic device. The thickness, length,and/or width and/or weight of the protective enclosure should beprovided in such dimensions so that the retained electronic device isnot broken, cracked, or otherwise damaged by the dropping and testing.

The electronic device can have a front surface. The front surface of theelectronic device can comprise a touch screen, which can be a capacitivesensing touch screen or other type of interactive control panel. Inother embodiments, the front surface of the electronic device can have akeyboard or buttons along with, or in lieu of, a touch screen or otherdisplay. The electronic device can have a back surface, and togetherwith the front surface, the electronic device can be surrounded by aperimeter portion.

The electronic device can have side surfaces. The side surfaces caninclude a top surface, or top-side surface, a bottom surface, orbottom-side surface, and opposing side surfaces. The side surfaces alongwith the front surface and back surface provide the housing of theelectronics, battery, and other components of the electronic device. Theside surfaces, including the top surface and bottom surface, of theelectronic device can have additional features of the electronic device,including buttons and controls and access points.

The electronic device can have buttons and controls that, along with thescreen, make the electronic device function. The buttons and controls onthe electronic device can be a power button, can be volume controls, canbe a silencing toggle, can be a headphone port, can be a microphone, andin some instances the buttons can be a keyboard or other controls forenabling the electronic device to function.

The electronic device can have a camera. The camera can be located on asurface of the electronic device and in some instances can be located onthe back surface of the electronic device. The camera can include aflash and in some instances can be located on the back surface of theelectronic device. In some instances, other features might be locatednear the camera of the electronic device, including a speaker,microphone, or other sensors. In other instances, the electronic devicecan have a second camera, sometimes located on the front surface of theelectronic device. Other features might also be located near this secondcamera of the electronic device, including a speaker, microphone, orother sensors.

The electronic device can have a speaker. The speaker can be located ona surface of the electronic device and in some instances can be locatedalong a perimeter surface of the electronic device and on a bottomsurface of the electronic device. The speaker can be one speaker, or acombination of speakers spread across one or more surfaces of theelectronic device. The electronic device can also have accessible areasfor power connections and for headphone connections. These areas can belocated along a surface of the electronic device and in some instancesbe located on the bottom surface or the top surface of the electronicdevice.

The electronic device can have a main button for assisting in controlson the touch screen. In some instances, this main button, sometimescalled a home button, can be located on a peripheral area of the frontsurface of the electronic device, outside of the area of the interactivetouch screen. The home button can be located along any portion of thetouch screen on the front surface of the electronic device and in someinstances the home button is located at the bottom portion of the touchscreen.

FIG. 1 shows a rear exploded view of one embodiment of a protectiveenclosure 100 for an electronic device 600. The electronic device 600can have a back portion 606, a top portion 608, and a side portion 612.The electronic device 600 can include a camera and flash feature 614 onthe back portion 606. The protective enclosure 100 for electronic device600 can include a front structural member 204 and a back structuralmember 202. The front structural member 204 and the back structuralmember 202 can snap tightly together to form a hard shell 200 thatsurrounds the electronic device 600. The front structural member 204 andthe back structural member 202 can snap tightly together with one or aplurality of corresponding snap connections 212. The snap connections212 of the hard shell 200 can be located along any one or more of theside portions 612 of the electronic device 600.

The corresponding snap connections 212 can have a molded male and femalecomponent, in one instance the male snap connection 212 can be locatedon the front structural member 204 and the corresponding female snapconnection 212 can be located on the back structural member 202. Inother instances, the corresponding snap connection can be connected withthe male snap connection on the back structural member and the femalesnap connection on the front structural member. In other instances, thesnap connections 212 can be separate components that are attached to thefront structural member 204 and/or back structural member 202. In someinstances, the snap connections 212 can be made of the same material asthe front structural member 204 and/or the back structural member 202 orcan be made of a different material and can be attached to the frontstructural member 204 and/or the back structural member 202. In evenother instances, the snap connections 212 can connect and engage usingother methods of connection other than a male/female connection.

A stretchable external cushioning member 300 can fit snugly over theassembled hard shell 200 and provide a cushioning component to theoutside of the protective enclosure 100 and the electronic device 100installed within the protective enclosure 100. An internal cushioningmember 400 can fit snugly between a back portion 606 of the electronicdevice 600 and an internal surface 208 (not shown in FIG. 1) of the backstructural member 202 of the hard shell 200. The cushioning members,individually and in combination, reduce the magnitudes of forcesexperienced at outer surfaces of protective enclosure 100, such asforces due to dropping or impact that may be transferred to electronicdevice 600 inside protective enclosure 100. While a portion of anexternal force may still get transferred to electronic device 600 insideprotective enclosure 100, the cushioning members reduce the magnitudesto a point where little or no damage to electronic device 600 may occur.Beneficially, there are two separate layers of cushioning protectingelectronic device 600 and electronic device 600 may have no contact withany hard or rigid portion of protective case 100. In some cases, the twocushioning layers may have complementary characteristics, such asdifferent durometers, to provide protection against a wider range offorces.

The protective enclosure 100 can include a protective flexible membrane500 that is configured to cover the front portion 602 and touchscreen604 (not shown in FIG. 1) of the electronic device 600. The protectiveflexible membrane 500 can also be referred to as a flexible member, atouchscreen cover, a membrane member, a membrane assembly, or amembrane. The flexible membrane 500 can fit on an internal surface 214of the front structural member 204 and the electronic device 600 and besized to cover and protect a touchscreen 604 that can be located on thefront portion 602 of the electronic device 600.

As shown in FIG. 1, the front structural member 204 is formed to providean opening 216 for touchscreen 604 or a display of the electronic device600. The opening 216 can also be formed to provide access to a keyboardor other input device on the front portion 602 of the electronic device600. The front structural member 204 can include openings for otherfeatures on the front portion 602 of the electronic device 600, such asspeakers, camera, flash, or other sensors. In some embodiments, theopenings for features on the front portion 602 of the electronic device600 can also provide for a screen or vent assembly, to prevent thepassage of dust and dirt to the features of the electronic device 600.In other instances, these vent assemblies can include features forresisting or preventing water or liquid from contacting the features ofthe electronic device.

The front structural member 204 can be made of any sufficient hardplastic or the like. The front structural member 204 can be made of apolycarbonate, ABS material, propylene, thermal plastic, metal, or otherrigid material. In some cases, one or more of the components may bemanufactured using an injection molding process. The molded frontstructural member 204 can have the same or a similar shape as the frontportion 602 of the electronic device 600 and help to seal the electronicdevice 600 within the protective enclosure 100. The front structuralmember 204 can include snap connection components 212. These snapconnections 212 can be formed along the sides and/or top and/or bottomportion of the front structural member 204. These snap connections 212on the front structural member 204 can be aligned to interact with snapconnections 212 on the back structural member 202 and help to secure theelectronic device 600 within the hard shell 200 of the protectiveenclosure 100.

The back structural member 202 can be formed to snap tightly onto thefront structural member 204. The back structural member 202 can have anopening 206 that allows access to a feature of the electronic device600. This feature can in some instances be a camera and/or flash feature614 on the back portion 606 of the electronic device 600. The backstructural member 202 can include other openings, or a portion of anopening, that when snapped together with the front structural member 204which may include another corresponding portion of an opening, canprovide access to other features of the electronic device 600. Theseother openings can be for a headphone jack, speakers, power buttons,electrical ports, volume buttons, or the like. The back structuralmember 202 can be made of the same material, or in some instances bemade of a different material, as the front structural member 204, whichcan be a polycarbonate, ABS material, propylene, thermal plastic, metal,or other rigid material used during an injection molding process.

In some embodiments, the back structural member 202 and front structuralmember 204 that comprise the hard shell 200 can comprise more than twopieces. In other embodiments, the components of the hard shell 200 cansnap together from the top and bottom of the protective enclosure, oronly cover a front portion of the electronic device, or only cover aback portion of the electronic device.

The hard shell 200 can include inner lid lips 224 and outer lid lips226. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the inner lid lips 224 can be locatedalong the perimeter wall portions of the front structural member 204 ofthe hard shell 200. The outer lid lips 226 can be located along theperimeter wall portions of the back structural member 202 of the hardshell 200. In other instances, the inner lid lips 224 can be located onthe back structural member 202 of the hard shell and the outer lid lips226 can be located on the front structural member 204 of the hard shell200. In even other instances, some inner lid lips 224 can be located onboth the front structural member 204 and the back structural member 202,and some outer lid lips 226 can be located on both the front structuralmember 204 and the back structural member 202 of the hard shell 200.

The inner lid lips 224 of the hard shell 200 can be located along aninterior section of the perimeter portion of the front structural member204. The outer lid lips 226 can be located along an outer section of theperimeter portion of the back structural member 202. The inner lid lips224 and the outer lid lips 226 can also be referred to as lid lipinversions that are located along the hard shell 200 of the protectiveenclosure 100. When the front structural member 204 is connected to theback structural member 202 and secured with the snap connections 212 toform the hard shell 200, the inner lid lips 224 can align with and insome instances contact the corresponding outer lid lips 226 and formwall portions of the hard shell 200 along any of the side and top andbottom portions of the hard shell 200. The length of each inner lid lip224 and outer lid lip 226 can vary and range from being a small portionof a wall portion of the hard shell 200 to a longer portion, in someinstances extending the length of the wall portion of the hard shell.The inner lid lips 224 and outer lid lips 226 can be located along oneside, two sides, three sides, or four sides of the protective enclosure100. In addition, more than one lid lip pair can be present along anyone side of protective enclosure 100.

The wall portions of the hard shell 200 where the inner lid lips 224 andouter lid lips 226 align and make contact can provide torsional rigidityto the hard shell 200 and the protective enclosure 100. The inner lidlips 224 and outer lid lips 226 can align along respective sides of eachlip that extend away from the front structural member 204 and backstructural member 202. The lid lips can align and make contact parallelwith the wall portions of the hard shell 200. When the protectiveenclosure 100 experiences an impact or a drop, the inner lid lip 224 canbe forced against the outer lid lip 226 and disperse or distribute theforce received from the impact or drop along the wall portions of thehard shell 200 and can reduce the impact or drop force from beingtransferred to the installed electronic device 600 in the protectiveenclosure 100. When the protective enclosure 100 is subjected to a dropor external force along an edge or corner of the protective enclosure100, this might subject the protective enclosure 100 to a secondaryimpact along an opposing edge or corner edge. In some instances, thissecondary impact to the protective enclosure 100 can subject theprotective enclosure 100 and/or installed electronic device 600 tobending and potential damage. The aligned inner lid lips 224 and outerlid lips 226 of the connected hard shell 200 can prevent bending damageby exerting any torsional or bending forces against each other anddispersing some or all of the torsional or bending forces along the wallportions of the hard shell 200 of the protective enclosure 100, andtherefore reducing the forces to the installed electronic device 600within the protective enclosure 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the stretchable external cushioning member 300can be configured to fit snugly over the assembled back structuralmember 202 and front structural member 204 of the hard shell 200. Theexternal cushioning member 300 provides cushioning to the exterior ofthe protective enclosure 100 and to the electronic device 600 that isinstalled within the protective enclosure 100. External cushioningmember 300 can have sufficient elasticity to stretch over andsubstantially conform to the outer surface of the hard shell 200. Theexternal cushioning member 300 can be made of one or more materials suchas silicone, rubber, urethane, or other material that is capable ofstretching sufficiently to allow the external cushioning member 300 tostretch around the assembled hard shell 200 and the external cushioningmember 300 is stiff enough to stay conformed to shape of the hard shell200 of the protective enclosure 100.

The external cushioning member 300 can include an opening 302 thataligns with the opening 206 in the back structural member 202. Theopening 302 can allow access to the camera and flash feature 614 of theelectronic device 600 when the electronic device 600 is installed withinthe protective enclosure 100 such that the camera, flash, and/or otherfeature can be used or operated while electronic device 600 is insideprotective enclosure 100. In some embodiments, separate openings can beincluded in the external cushioning member and/or the hard shell 200,with each opening surrounding one or more of the camera, flash, or otherfeature of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the externalcushioning member 300 can include other openings that align or don'talign with other openings in the back structural member 202 or the frontstructural member 204 of the hard shell 200.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an internal cushioning member 400 is providedthat can fit snugly between the back portion 606 of the electronicdevice 600 and the internal surface 208 (not shown in FIG. 1) of theback structural member 202. The internal cushioning member 400 canprovide added cushioning to the electronic device 600 that is installedwithin the protective enclosure 100 in a drop situation. Internalcushioning member can also provide scratch resistance to the backportion 606 and side portions 612 of the electronic device with respectto any hard or rigid portions of protective case 100. The internalcushioning member 400 can also reduce or prevent rub marks or wear marksthat often form on electronic devices due to small movements orvibrations with an enclosure. The internal cushioning member 400 canextend along the entire back portion 606 of the electronic device 600.The internal cushioning member can also extend along one or more of theside portions 612, top portion 608, and bottom portion 610 of theelectronic device to provide cushioning support to the electronic device600. In other instances, the internal cushioning member 400 can coveronly a portion or segment of the back portion 606 and the side portions612 of the electronic device 600. The internal cushioning member 400 canbe made of any soft, cushioning material such as silicone, rubber,urethane, or other material that is capable of providing cushioningsupport. In some instances, internal cushioning member 400 can beremovably or permanently adhered to the internal surface of backstructural member 202.

The internal cushioning member 400 can include an opening 402 that isaligned with the opening 302 of the external cushioning member and theopening 206 of the back structural member 202. When the internalcushioning member 400 is installed within the internal surface 208 ofthe back structural member 202, and the back structural member 202 issnapped together with the front structural member 204, and the externalcushioning member 300 is installed around the connected back structuralmember 202 and front structural member 204, forming the hard shell 200,the opening 402 of the internal cushioning member 400 aligns with theopening 206 of the back structural member, which also aligns with theopening 302 of the external cushioning member 300, providing access tothe camera and flash feature 614 of the electronic device 600 fromoutside the protective enclosure 100. In some embodiments, theprotective enclosure 100 may not require an internal cushioning member400. In other embodiments, only a portion of an internal cushioningmember 400 is included and need not cover an entire back surface of theelectronic device. For instance, a portion of an internal cushioningmember that surrounds and aligns only with the opening 302 of theexternal cushioning member and the opening 206 of the back structuralmember 202. In other embodiments, external cushioning member 300 may notbe included or required.

The internal cushioning member 400 can include a protruding portion 404that can surround the opening 402 of the internal cushioning member 400.The protruding portion 404 can be long enough to extend through theopening 206 of the back structural member 202 and long enough to extendthrough the opening 302 of the external cushioning member 300 when themembers are connected and installed forming the protective enclosure100. The protruding portion 404 can extend through the opening 206 ofthe back structural member 202 and the opening 302 of the externalcushioning member 300 and be formed to contact or connect with the outersurface 304 of the external cushioning member 300. The protrudingportion 404 can line a portion of the opening 302 of the externalcushioning member 300, or can line the entire opening 302 of theexternal cushioning member 300, while providing access to the camera andflash opening 614 of the electronic device 600. The protruding portion404 can assist in sealing the exterior of the protective enclosure 100from dust, dirt, debris, and in some instances, water or liquids. Insome embodiments, the internal cushioning member 400 can be permanentlyconnected to the back structural member 202, by overmolding, glue,adhesive, or other method of attachment. In other embodiments, theinternal cushioning member 400 can be removable and replaceable.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the flexible membrane 500 can attach to theinternal surface 214 of the front structural member 204 and beconfigured and shaped to the cover the touchscreen 602 and the frontportion 602 of the electronic device when the front structural member204 is installed onto the electronic device 600. Flexible membrane 500can be made from a soft, plastic layer such as PVC, polycarbonate,urethane, or silicone material that can be molded, such as bythermoforming, casting, stretching, heating, or injection molding, orotherwise shaped to fit to the front portion 602 of the electronicdevice 600. The flexible membrane 500, which can also be referred to asa touchscreen cover, can have a thickness of around 0.004 inches to0.020 inches in order to still be able to interact with the touchscreen604 of the electronic device when the flexible membrane 500 is installedover the touchscreen of the electronic device. The flexible membrane 500can be made from a single material and it may be desirable to use aclear, thin hard layer of plastic or glass to provide a clear,transparent material that covers the touchscreen 604 of the electronicdevice 600, protecting the touchscreen from scratches and dust anddebris. In other cases, the flexible membrane 500 can be made frommultiple materials and/or include multiple layers of materials. Althoughflexible membrane 500 is described as ‘flexible’ in most embodimentsherein, flexible membrane 500 may also comprise a rigid, or somewhatrigid, material in some embodiments.

The flexible membrane 500 can include openings 502 that allow access tofeatures on the front portion 602 of the electronic device. Thesefeatures of the electronic device can include a speaker, microphone, asecondary or front facing camera, or the like.

The flexible membrane 500 can be adhered to the internal surface 214 ofthe front structural member 204 using glue or other adhesive material.In some instances, the flexible membrane 500 can be permanentlyconnected to the front structural member 204 using ultrasonic welding orovermolding. In some instances, flexible membrane 500 may be captured orheld in place but may not be adhered to any of the other components ofprotective enclosure 100. In yet other instances, it may not bedesirable to use a flexible membrane 500 as part of the protectiveenclosure 100, therefore having the front structural member 204 of thehard shell 200 configured to more tightly fit along the shape of thefront portion 602 of the electronic device 600.

In some instances, the flexible membrane 500 can include a shockabsorbing adhesive 508 (shown in FIG. 8) that adheres the flexiblemembrane 500 to the internal surface 214 of the front structural member204. The shock absorbing adhesive 508 can also be referred to as anenergy absorbing layer of the protective enclosure. In addition toadhering the flexible membrane 500, the shock absorbing adhesive canassist in protecting the installed electronic device 600 from damagefrom drops and external forces applied to the protective enclosure 100.The energy absorbing layer can assist in protecting the front surface ofthe electronic device when external forces are applied to the frontportion of the protective enclosure or if the protective enclosure isdropped on a front portion. The shock absorbing adhesive 508 can be madeof a very high bond acrylic adhesive or similar material and can rangein thicknesses. In some instances, the shock absorbing adhesive can beabout 0.88 mm thick but can vary depending on the desired fit of theprotective enclosure 100 surrounding and protecting the installedelectronic device 600.

The shock absorbing adhesive 508 can be adhered on one side to theinternal surface 214 of the front structural member 204 and on the otherside to the flexible membrane 500, keeping the flexible membrane 500closely touching and even directly touching the touchscreen 604 of theelectronic device 600 when the electronic device 600 is installed in theprotective enclosure 100. This is ideal for reducing or eliminating gapsbetween the flexible membrane 500 and the touchscreen 604 of theelectronic device 600 that could affect the interaction with thetouchscreen 604 through the flexible membrane 500 when the electronicdevice 600 is installed in the protective enclosure 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back isometric view of a protective enclosure 100.The external cushioning member 300 is shown fitting snugly around thehard shell 200 and extending along the back portion 606 and sideportions 612 of the installed electronic device 600. The externalcushioning member 300 can also fit snugly around the hard shell 200 andextend along the top portion 608 and bottom portion 610 of the installedelectronic device 600. The external cushioning member 300 can includebutton covers or pads 306 that are configured to allow a user toactivate features of the electronic device 600 that can include volumebuttons, power buttons, silence buttons, or the like. The pads or buttoncovers 306 can be aligned with an opening in the connected hard shell200, the opening in the hard shell allowing access to the features ofthe electronic device 600 to the pads 306 of the external cushioningmember 300. The pads 306 can be configured to be depressed by a user toactivate the features of the electronic device while the electronicdevice 600 is installed in the protective enclosure 100. The pads orbutton covers 306 can have thinner portions surrounding the pads thatallow the pads 306 to flex with respect to the external cushioningmember 300.

The external cushioning member 300 can include port openings or plugopenings 308 allowing access to features of the electronic device 100that can include power toggle switches, silence toggle switches, orother features. The plug openings 308 can be aligned with an opening ofthe connected hard shell 200 of the protective enclosure 100, allowingdirect access to the feature of the electronic device 600 when installedin the protective enclosure 100. The plug openings 308 can be formed tohave a flexible hinge allowing for access to the feature of theelectronic device 600 while the flexible hinge allows the plug opening308 to stay connected to the external cushioning member 300. The plugopenings 308 can also be referred to as hinged flaps that allow accessto features of the electronic device 600. The hinged flaps can be formedto fit snugly into the external cushioning member 300 when closed andsecured to prevent dust and debris from entering the protectiveenclosure 100 near the plug openings 308. The hinged flaps can fitsnugly within the external cushioning member 300 or can provide a lipthat engages with a portion of the corresponding opening of the hardshell 200 for securing the port opening in a closed position. In someembodiments, the plug openings can be separate pieces from theprotective enclosure or in some instances can be separate pieces thatare tethered to the protective enclosure.

As shown in FIG. 2, the corresponding snap connections 212 between thefront structural member 204 and back structural member 202 of the hardshell 200 can be located along a side portion 612 of the electronicdevice 600. The snap connection 212 can include a divot 218 for engagingwith an external holster or other accessory. The external holster orother accessory can have a corresponding knob or protrusion thatinteracts with the divot 218 in the snap connection 212 for keeping theprotective enclosure 100 connected to the holster or other accessory.The external cushioning member 300 can include a protective portion 310that surrounds snap connection 212 and causes snap connection 212 to berecessed relative to external cushioning member 300 thereby preventingthe snap connection 212 of the hard shell 200 from contacting anexternal surface that the protective enclosure 100 might encounterduring use or droppage. The protective portion 310 can prevent therecessed snap connection 212 of the hard shell 200 from getting damagedduring use or in a drop or impact situation, or other damagingsituation. In addition, the protective portion 310 reduces thelikelihood that snap connection 212 contacts an external object orsurface thereby further reducing the magnitude of external forces thatmay be transferred to electronic device 600 inside protective enclosure100. The protective portion 310 can extend along all sides of the snapconnection 212 of the hard shell 200 or a number of sides of the snapconnection 212.

The external cushioning member 300 can include a recessed portion 312 onor near the snap connection 212 of the hard shell 200. The recessedportion 312 of the external cushioning member 300 can provide easieraccess for a holster or accessory to slide along the protectiveenclosure 100 and make contact with the divot 218 of the snap connection212 of the hard shell 200. The recessed portion 312 allows for lesscontact along that portion of the protective enclosure 100 with externalaccessories or holsters and can prevent damage of the externalcushioning member 300 along that portion of the protective enclosure100. In other instances, a protective enclosure can include divotengagements located in other portions of the protective enclosure,including in the external cushioning member.

FIG. 2 shows the opening 302 on the back of the external cushioningmember 300. The opening 302 is aligned with the camera and flash feature614 of the electronic device 600. The protruding portion 404 of theinternal cushioning member 400 can extend through the protectiveenclosure 100 and engage with the outer surface 304 of the externalcushioning member 300. The protruding portion 404, or extended portion,can be shaped to have a beveled wall that surrounds the camera and flashfeature 614 of the electronic device 600, the protective enclosure 100protecting the surrounding back portion 606 of the electronic device 600from drops, dust, and debris. The protruding portion 404 of the externalcushioning member 400 can be any dark color, in some instances black, toreduce or eliminate optical reflections or other optical abnormalitiescaused by components of protective enclosure 100 that may affectoperation of the camera and/or flash. The protruding portion 404 of theexternal cushioning member 400 can also have a non-reflective surface,such as a matte finish, or other surface treatment to further reduce anyunwanted optical effects. Because protruding portion 404 extends throughthe opening, the optical characteristics described above may beaccomplished without providing any surface or optic-related treatmentsto the other components of protective enclosure 100. Beneficially, theother components can be manufactured in various colors without having topaint or otherwise treat areas of these other components near flash orcamera openings to have a dark color or other non-reflectivecharacteristic.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front isometric view of a protective enclosure 100for an electronic device 600. The flexible membrane 500 can be showncovering the front portion 602 and the touchscreen 604 of the electronicdevice 600. The flexible membrane 500 can include openings 502 thatallow access to features of the electronic device 600, includingmicrophones, speakers, secondary cameras, or the like. In someembodiments, the openings 502 in the flexible membrane 500 can becompletely open and directly expose the features of the electronicdevice. In other embodiments, the openings 502 of the flexible membrane500 can include a screen or covering that allows for access to thefeatures of the electronic device 600. The screen or covering can bethin enough and comprise a material that allows for sound transmissionor image transmission while covering a sound feature or camera featureof the electronic device. In some embodiments, the screens can be waterimpermeable or water resistant.

As shown in FIG. 3, the front structural member 204 can protect thefront portion 602 of the electronic device 600 and provide an opening216 to allow access to the touchscreen 604 of the electronic device 600.Along the opening 216 of the front structural member 204, the frontstructural member 204 can provide a protective rim 220 that can beraised and surrounds the touchscreen 604 of the electronic device 600and protects it from scratches by preventing the touchscreen 604 fromtouching an external surface if the protective enclosure 100 is laid onthe side where the touchscreen 604 of the electronic device 600 islocated. The external cushioning member 300 can wrap around to the frontportion 602 of the electronic device 600 and connect with the protectiverim 220 of the front structural member 204. In some instances, theprotective rim 220 can extend along the entire perimeter of thetouchscreen 604 of the electronic device 600, or can provide one or moreraised rim portions along the perimeter of the touchscreen 604 when theelectronic device 600 is installed in the protective enclosure 100.

In some instances, front structural member 204 can be shaped toaccommodate a front portion of the electronic device 600 that is curvedor rounds or extends over the side edges and top edges of the electronicdevice. The front structural member 204 can be shaped to accommodatetouchscreen 604 of the electronic device 600 that also curves or roundsover and extends from the front portion of the electronic device 600.The front structural member 204 can be shaped to accommodate the curvedfront portion of the electronic while allowing for access to thetouchscreen and controls that might be located on the curved portions ofthe electronic device. A flexible membrane 500 can also have a curvedshape that can adhere to the inner surface of the curved frontstructural member 204. The curved flexible membrane can be shaped tocover the touchscreen of the electronic device, including portions ofthe touchscreen that are curved or extend around an edge of the frontportion of the electronic device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a back view of a protective enclosure 100 for anelectronic device 600. The snap connections 212 can be configured toprotrude through the external cushioning member 300, in this instancealong the sides of the protective enclosure 100. The corresponding snapconnections 212 can protrude through the external cushioning member 300to allow for divots or indents in the snap connection 212 to connectwith a holster or accessory that can interact with the protectiveenclosure, without damaging the external cushioning member and utilizingthe hard surface of the snap connection and hard shell to make a solidconnection between the hard shell of the protective enclosure and acorresponding connection point of the holster or accessory. The externalcushioning member 300 can include a protective portion 310, orprotective rim, around the snap connections 212. The protective rim 310can be configured to make contact with an external surface, preventingthe snap connection 212 of the hard shell 200 to make contact with anexternal surface. The protective rim 310 can be sized to surround theentire snap connection 212 or a portion of the snap connection 212, andcan be configured to absorb external forces, impacts, shocks orvibrations and prevent those external forces, impacts, shocks andvibrations from making contact with the corresponding snap connection212 of the hard shell 200 and the installed electronic device 600. Insome embodiments, other portions of the hard shell 200 can be configuredto protrude through openings in the external cushioning member 300 andengage with external components, such as a holster or other accessory.

As shown in FIG. 4, the protective rim 310 of the external cushioningmember 300 can be located around the back of the protective enclosure100 and above and below the snap connections 212. Plug openings 308 areshown along a top portion and bottom portion of the protective enclosurefor accessing features of the installed electronic device 600. Thesefeatures can include a power connection, a data connection, headphonejack port, and/or the like.

The plug openings 308, or port openings, can be sized to the feature ofthe electronic device 600 that they are positioned over, or the plugopenings 308 can be larger than the feature. The plug openings 308 canhave a flexible hinge that is part of the external cushioning member 300and fit snugly within the external cushioning member 300 when in aclosed position. The external cushioning member 300 can also includefeature covers, or switch pads 306, that can be aligned with a featureof the electronic device 600. These switch pads 306 can be used toactivate features of the electronic device 600 such as volume controls,power buttons, or the like from outside protective enclosure 100.Openings in the hard shell 200 can allow for the features of theelectronic device 600 that are aligned under a switch pad 306 of theexternal cushioning member 300 to be exposed through the hard shell 200so that the flexible switch pads 306 can engage with the features of theelectronic device 600 while the electronic device 600 is installedwithin the protective 100.

FIG. 5 is a front view of protective enclosure 100. As shown, theexternal cushioning member 300 provides cushioning support around theentire perimeter of protective enclosure 100 while providing access tothe front portion 602 and touchscreen 604 of the electronic device 600.Also shown in FIG. 5 is a flexible membrane 500 for covering andprotecting the touchscreen 604 of the electronic device 600. Theprotective rim 220 of the front structural member 204 surrounds thetouchscreen of the electronic device.

FIG. 6A is a front view of a protective enclosure 100, with across-section I-I. FIG. 6B is cross-section I-I of FIG. 6B and shows theinternal cushioning member 400 surrounded by the front hard shell 202and back hard shell 204, then surrounded by the external cushioningmember 300 of the protective enclosure 100. FIG. 6B shows theinteraction between the external cushioning member 300 and the frontstructural member 204 of the hard shell. When the external cushioningmember is installed around the back portion of the electronic device andover the back structural member 202, the external cushioning member 300can extend around the front portion of the electronic device and have atab feature 314. The tab feature can interact with a groove feature 222of the front structural member 204, sealing the external cushioningmember 300 along the front structural member 204 and in turn securingthe external cushioning member 300 to the hard shell 200 of theprotective enclosure 100. The tab feature 314 and the groove feature 222can be located anywhere along the front portion 602 or side portions 612of the electronic device 600. The tab feature 314 and groove feature 222can extend along an entire perimeter of the front portion 602 of theelectronic device 600 or can be located in one or more sections alongthe perimeter of the electronic device 600 enclosed within theprotective enclosure 100.

In some instances, the tab feature for connecting the externalcushioning member to the hard shell can be located on the hard shell andthe groove connection feature can be located on the cushioning layer. Ineven other instances, this tab and groove connection can be sealed tocreate a water-resistant or waterproof seal. In other instances, the tabfeature and groove connection feature can be configured to include agasket providing more of a waterproof seal to the protective enclosure100.

FIG. 6B includes a section-view II, showing a close-up of a rear portionof the protective enclosure 100 that is detailed in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 showssection-view II and shows a close up of the cross-section of theprotective enclosure 100, specifically of the back of the protectiveenclosure 100 where the camera feature 614 of the electronic device islocated. The internal cushioning member 400, or cushioning layer, isshown covering the back portion 606 of the electronic device 600. Theback structural member 202 is shown covering the internal cushioninglayer 400, and formed to the shape of the back portion of the electronicdevice 600. The external cushioning member 300 is shown surrounding andcushioning the back structural member 202. The protruding portion 404 ofthe interior cushioning member 400 is shown protruding away from theback portion of the electronic device 600 and through the layers of theprotective enclosure 100 and extending through to the outer surface 304of the external cushioning member 300. The beveled edge of theprotruding portion 404 of the internal cushioning member 400 can be seenextending away from the camera and flash feature 614 of the electronicdevice 600. In other instances, the protruding portion 404 could extendstraight out from the back portion of the electronic device and in evenother instances the protruding portion 404 could extend inward.

FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of the front of a protectiveenclosure. Electronic device 600 is protected by flexible membrane 500covering a front portion of the electronic device. The flexible membrane500 is adhered to an inner surface of a front protective layer 204. Thefront protective layer 204 can connect and snap together with a backprotective layer 202. An interior cushion layer 400 can be configured tobe between the back portion of the electronic and an inner surface ofthe back protective layer 204, for adding cushioning support to theelectronic device when installed in the protective enclosure.

The interior cushion layer 400 can comprise ribs 406, or a ribbedstructure, to reduce the weight of the layer but still add cushioningprotection to the electronic device when the device is installed intothe protective enclosure. The ribs 406 can be located on the inside ofthe inner cushion layer or on the outside of the cushion layer, or insome instances can extend through the inner cushion layer and form holesor openings throughout the inner cushion layer for even greater weightreduction of the inner cushion layer component 400 of the protectiveenclosure 100.

The exterior cushion layer 300 can be formed and configured to fitsnugly around the snapped together hard shell components and theelectronic device. The exterior cushion layer can have an opening 302that aligns with an opening 206 in the back protective layer 202 of thehard shell components, which in turn aligns with an opening 402 in theinner cushion layer 400. These openings allow access to a feature on theback portion of the electronic device to be fully functional when theelectronic device is installed in the protective enclosure. This featureof the electronic device can be a camera and flash feature, or the like.The protective enclosure and its components can include other openingsaround the installed electronic device for accessing features andcontrols of the electronic device.

FIG. 9 illustrates a protective enclosure 800 that includes a hard shell1200 that is at least partially surrounded by an external cushioningmember 1300. A membrane 1500 can cover the front surface, including atouchscreen, of an electronic device 1600 that is installed within theprotective enclosure 800. The external cushioning member 1300 caninclude button covers 1306 that cover and protect feature buttons of anelectronic device. The feature buttons of the electronic device can bevolume controls, silence buttons, camera buttons, power buttons, or thelike. The button covers 1306 of the external cushioning member 1300 canbe located along any side of the protective enclosure 800 that issurrounding the installed electronic device 1600, including the top ofthe protective enclosure 800 or the bottom of the protective enclosure800.

The hard shell 1200 of the protective enclosure 800 can be an example ofthe hard shell 200 of the protective enclosure 100, but may also includeother features, functions, or features of hard shell 200. The membrane1500 of the protective enclosure 800 can be an example of the membrane500 of the protective enclosure 100, but may also include otherfeatures, functions, or features of membrane 500. The externalcushioning member 1300 can be an example of the external cushioningmember 300 of the protective enclosure 100, but may also include otherfeatures, functions, or features of external cushioning member 300.

The external cushioning member 1300 can include button protection ribs1316. The protection ribs, or protective protrusions or protectivewalls, can be located on either side of the push button covers 1036 ofthe external cushioning member 1300 and can be tall enough or protrudefar enough away from the protective enclosure 800 such that theprotection ribs 1316 make contact with an external surface that theprotective enclosure 800 may encounter during normal use, or in a dropor impact or external force situation. The protection ribs 1316 areconfigured to reduce the chances that the button covers 1306, andunderlying features of the electronic device, will be inadvertentlypressed or activated during normal use, while in a pocket or bag, or ina drop or impact situation.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of protective enclosure 800. The hard shell1200 is surrounded by an external cushioning member 1300. The externalcushioning member 1300 can include protection ribs 1316. The protectionribs 1316 are configured to reduce the chances that the button covers1306, and underlying features of the electronic device, will beinadvertently pressed or activated during normal use, while in a pocketor bag, or in a drop or impact situation. The protection ribs 1316 canalso assist in protecting a side portion of the external cushioningmember 1300 and hard shell components 212 that can protrude through theexternal cushioning member 1300. The protection ribs 1316 can be made ofthe same material as the external cushioning member 1300 or can be anovermolded or adhered or affixed material, such as a polycarbonate orother hard plastic.

FIG. 12 shows a front exploded view of protective enclosure 2100 forelectronic device 2200. Electronic device 2200 can include any of thecharacteristics, functions, or features of electronic device 600.Electronic device 2200 can include touchscreen 2202, home button 2206,power button 2208, and microphone 2204. Electronic device 2200 caninclude other features not shown in FIG. 12. Protective enclosure 2100can include any of the characteristics, functions, or features ofprotective enclosure 100. Protective enclosure 2100 can include frontstructural member 2300 and back structural member 2500. Front structuralmember 2300 and back structural member 2500 can snap together to form ahard shell that surrounds electronic device 2200. Front and backstructural members 2300 and 2500 can include any of the characteristics,functions, or features of front and back structural members 204 and 202of protective enclosure 100.

Front structural member 2300 and back structural member 2500 can snaptogether with one or more clasping mechanisms. Clasping mechanisms canalso be referred to as clasping features. Front structural member 2300can have clasping mechanisms 2308 that engage with clasping mechanisms2508 of the back structural member 2500. Clasping mechanisms 2308 and2508 can include any of the characteristics, functions, or features ofsnap connections 212 of protective enclosure 100. Clasping mechanisms2308 and 2508 can be located along any one or more of the side portionsof the protective enclosure 2100, including the top portion or bottomportion of protective enclosure 2100.

Front structural member 2300 can include openings 2310 and 2306.Openings 2310 and 2306 can allow access to functional features ofelectronic device 2200 while electronic device 2200 is installed inprotective enclosure 2100. These functional features of electronicdevice 2200 can include a home button, a power button, a speaker, amicrophone, and a camera/flash feature. Back structural member 2500 caninclude at least opening 2504 that can allow access to a feature on theback portion of electronic device 2200 when electronic device 2200 isinstalled in protective enclosure 2100. This feature on the back portionof electronic device 2200 can be a camera/flash feature.

Stretchable external cushioning member 2600 can fit snugly over some orall of assembled front structural member 2300 and back structural member2500. Stretchable cushioning member 2600 can include any of thecharacteristics, functions, or features of external cushioning member300 of protective enclosure 100. Internal cushioning member 2400 can fitsnugly between installed electronic device 2200 and back structuralmember 2500. Internal cushioning member 2400 can include any of thecharacteristics, functions, or features of internal cushioning member400 of protective enclosure 100.

External cushioning member 2600 can include buttons 2606. Buttons 2606are an example of pads 306 of external cushioning member 300 ofprotective enclosure 100. External cushioning member 2600 can includeopening 2604 on the back portion 2602 of external cushioning member2600. Opening 2604 is an example of opening 302 of external cushioningmember 300 of protective enclosure 100. Internal cushioning member 2400can include opening 2404 on the back 2402 of internal cushioning member2400. Opening 2404 is an example of opening 402 of internal cushioningmember 400 of protective enclosure 100. Opening 2404 can include aperimeter portion, the perimeter portion of opening 2404 can extend awayfrom the back 2402 of internal cushioning member 2400 and when internalcushioning member 2400 is installed within protective enclosure 2100,the perimeter of opening 2404 can extend from internal cushioning member2400 through opening 2504 of back structural member 2500 and throughopening 2604 of external cushioning member 2600 to make contact with theouter surface of external cushioning member 2600.

External cushioning member 2600 can include opening 2608 that can bealong a side or top or bottom of external cushioning member 2600.Opening 2608 can include a protrusion along the perimeter of opening2608. When the external cushioning member 2600 is attached to engagedfront structural member 2300 and back structural member 2500 to formprotective enclosure 2100, and electronic device 2200 is installed inprotective enclosure 2100, the protrusion of opening 2608 can extendthrough protective enclosure 2100 from external cushioning member 2600to the surface of installed electronic device 2200. The perimeter ofopening 2608 can surround a feature of electronic device 2200, thatfeature can be a microphone or other sound feature.

Front structural member 2300 can include touchscreen cover 2302.Touchscreen cover 2302 can be comprised of and/or formed or molded fromthe same material as the portions of front structural member 2300 thatinclude clasping mechanisms 2308. Front structural member 2300 can bemolded from a single part that includes touchscreen cover 2302 andclasping mechanisms 2308 and any remaining portions of front structuralmember 2300. Front structural member 2300 can be made of any sufficienthard plastic or the like. Front structural member 2300 can be made of apolycarbonate, ABS material, propylene, thermal plastic, or other rigidmaterial. Front structural member 2300 can be formed using an injectioncompression molding (ICM) process and made from an injection moldedplastic. Front structural member 2300 can be molded or formed such thatflow marks are minimized and clarity through the part is optimal, foroptical or visual purposes of clearly seeing the touchscreen of theinstalled electronic device through the front structural member 2300.

FIG. 13 shows front structural member 2300. Touchscreen cover 2302 offront structural member 2300 can also be referred to as the portion offront structural member 2300 that extends over and covers touchscreen2202 of electronic device 2200 when electronic device 2200 is installedin protective enclosure 2100. Touchscreen cover 2302 can also bereferred to as a recessed area of front structural member 2300.Touchscreen cover 2302 can be thinner than other portions of frontstructural member 2300 and can be sufficiently thin to allow access andfunctionality of touchscreen 2202 of electronic device 2200 through thetouchscreen cover 2302 when electronic device 2200 is installed inprotective enclosure 2100. In some instances, touchscreen cover 2302 maybe described as a thinner region of front structural member 2300.Touchscreen cover 2302 can permit touchscreen 2202 of installedelectronic device 2200 to be visible and operable through touchscreencover 2302.

In some instances, touchscreen cover 2302 can include an adhesive on theinternal portion of touchscreen cover 2302, to removably adheretouchscreen cover 2302 to touchscreen 2202 of electronic device 2200.The adhesive of touchscreen cover 2302 can also be referred to as anadhesive film. The adhesive on touchscreen cover 2302 can cover theentire surface of touchscreen cover 2302, or can cover a portion of theinternal surface of touchscreen cover 2302. In other instances, adhesivecan also be included on the remaining portions of front structuralmember 2300, to removably adhere front structural member 2300 to thefront portion of electronic device 2200. In other instances, adhesivecan be included on the portions of front structural member 2300 thatdoes not include touchscreen cover 2302.

Opening 2310 can be located within touchscreen cover 2302 of frontstructural member 2300. Opening 2310 can also be referred to as afeature opening. Opening 2310 can provide access to home button 2206 ofelectronic device 2200. Opening 2310 can be a similar shape to homebutton 2206 of electronic device 2200. Front structural member 2300 canfurther include openings 2306. Openings 2310 can be located along aperimeter portion of front structural member 2300 and be configured toallow access to features of installed electronic device 2200, such as aspeaker, microphone, camera, or other feature.

A portion of front structural member 2300 that surrounds touchscreencover 2302 can include protective rim 2304. Protective rim 2304 caninclude any of the characteristics, functions, or features of protectiverim 220 of front structural member 204 of protective enclosure 100. Insome instances, openings 2310 of front structural member can be locatedon protective rim 2304 of front structural member 2300. In someinstances, protective rim 2304 can have a beveled edge, the beveled edgeextending away from touchscreen 2202. In other instances, protective rim2304 can have a beveled edge that extends towards the touchscreen of theinstalled electronic device. In some instances, the beveled edge canextend around the entire protective rim of the front structural member,or extend around only a portion of the protective rim.

In some instances, front structural member 2300 can be configured tocover an electronic device with a curved front portion and/or a curvedtouchscreen. As can be seen in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, front structuralmember 2300 can include curved sections 2312 that are formed to coverany curved portions of an installed electronic device. Touchscreen cover2312 and protective rim 2304 can be formed to curve along the curvedportions of the installed electronic device. In some instances, allportions of front structural member 2300 can be curved or only one ormore portions can be curved.

In other embodiments, the flexible membrane of a protective enclosurecan be made from a single material or multiple materials that arewelded, glued, or formed together into a single membrane. For example,for the portion of the membrane that is disposed over the display screenor touchscreen of an electronic device can be a clear, thin layer ofglass or plastic to provide a clear, transparent material over thedisplay screen or touchscreen, to protect the screen from scratches.Other parts of the flexible membrane can be made of a thin layer ofpolycarbonate, PVC or a silicone material that is highly flexible sothat a keyboard or other buttons may be pressed through the membrane. Inother instances, it may not be desirable to cover the entire touchscreenor display screen of the electronic device with the flexible membrane,allowing more direct access to a keyboard or other buttons. And in evenother instances, it may be desired to not include a flexible membrane aspart of the protective enclosure and allow a user to have direct contactwith a touchscreen or display screen. In yet other instances, it may bedesirable to allow a user to install a secondary screen cover that canbe plastic or glass directly to the touchscreen of the electronicdevice, while installed within the protective enclosure.

In other instances when it may not be desirable to include a flexiblemembrane as part of the protective enclosure, the front shell can beconfigured to seal against the touchscreen of the electronic device fromwater penetrating between the touchscreen of the electronic device andthe front shell of the protective enclosure. The front shell can beconfigured to touch the touchscreen directly, or can in some instancesinclude a gasket attached to the front shell that touches thetouchscreen and prevent water from penetrating between the front shelland the touchscreen.

In other instances, a flexible membrane can be made so that just thearea around a keyboard or a button is open to allow direct access to thekeyboard or button while the other areas that are covered by themembrane remain covered. In addition, various portions of the membranecan be made clear, translucent, opaque, or any desired color, or anycombination of these alternatives. The flexible membrane can be made towrap around a portion of, or all of, the backside of the electronicdevice and be at least partially sealed together, especially if aself-adhering material is used for the membrane. For example, if acamera is included on the backside of an electronic device, a clearportion of the membrane can be used to cover the camera feature. Themembrane can be thermoformed or otherwise molded to fit the specificshape of all, or a portion of, the surfaces of the electronic device toprovide a tight, form fit to the electronic device.

In other embodiments, a front shell can fit snuggly over a flexiblemembrane and snap together with a back shell. The assembly of the frontand back shell can form a hard shell housing. The firm fit of the frontshell and portions of the back shell can help to seal the hard shell tothe flexible membrane, which provides water resistance and prevents dirtand dust from entering the membrane. In some instances, around each ofany openings in the front shell and back shell that are adjacent to theflexible membrane, a small ridge can be formed that applies additionalpressure to the flexible membrane to further seal the membrane to thefront shell and back shell. Each of the small ridges around theseopenings, such as the display screen opening or a keyboard opening,slightly deforms and seals the edge of the openings to the membrane,which helps in preventing the entry of dust, dirt, and/or moisture intothe hard shell and the electronic device installed in the protectiveenclosure.

In other embodiments, a stretchable exterior cushion layer can beprovided that fits snuggly over an assembled hard shell that consists ofa front shell and a back shell. The exterior cushion layer providescushioning in a drop situation and fits snugly over portions of theoutside of the assembled hard shell. The exterior cushion layer can bemade of a variety of thermoplastic materials to allow the hard shell toslide into an opening of the exterior cushion layer. The stretchablecushion layer has a modulus of elasticity, which can vary across thestretchable cushion layer, but allows the exterior cushion layer toconform to the assembled hard shell. The exterior cushion layer mayinclude pads, such as tilt switch/push button pads, that are connectedto the exterior cushion layer with a thinner portion to allow actuationof the switches. The pads can then be depressed by a user to activate atilt switch or push button. The thinner portion of the pads allow thepads to easily flex with respect to the external stretchable cushionlayer.

In other embodiments, a protective enclosure can have an externalcushion layer can have elasticity that tightly holds an assembled hardshell together in the external cushion layer. The hard shell can alsoinclude an internal cushion layer that is held tightly in place withinthe protective enclosure. The elasticity of the stretchable externallayer prevents the assembled hard shell from separating from theprotective enclosure in a drop situation. In addition, the elasticity ofthe stretchable external layer provides a tight fit, which further addsto water resistance of the protective enclosure.

In some embodiments, the front hard shell and back hard shell of aprotective enclosure can be different colors, and in even otherembodiments, the inner cushion layer and outer cushion layer of theprotective enclosure can be different colors from each other or from thehard shell components. Different textures can also be added to the outercushion layer to provide appealing designs or grip areas for theprotective enclosure. In other instances, pictures or images can beprinted on the outer cushion layer of the protective enclosure, eitherby screen printing or by an in-mold labeling (IML) process.

In some embodiments of a protective enclosure, the front shell and backshell of the hard shell can snap fit together using molded male andfemale snap connections. In addition, ridges in the back shell can fittightly within a groove of the front shell to create a tight snap fitbetween the front and back shell of the hard shell of the protectiveenclosure.

The elements, components, and steps described herein are meant toexemplify some types of possibilities. In no way should theaforementioned examples limit the scope of the invention, as they areonly exemplary embodiments.

The phrases “in some embodiments”, “in other embodiments”, “in someexamples”, “in other examples”, “in some situations”, “in oneconfiguration”, and the like generally mean that the particulartechnique, feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase isincluded in at least one embodiment of the present invention and/or maybe included in more than one embodiment of the present invention. Inaddition, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodimentsor to different embodiments.

The foregoing disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustrationand description. Other modifications and variations may be possible inview of the above teachings. The embodiments described in the foregoingdisclosure were chosen to explain the principles of the concept and itspractical application to enable others skilled in the art to bestutilize the invention. It is intended that the claims be construed toinclude other alternative embodiments of the invention expect as limitedby the prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective enclosure for an electronic device,the electronic device having a touchscreen, the protective enclosurecomprising: a back structural member configured to fit a back portionand side portions of the electronic device, the back structural memberhaving an internal surface and an external surface, the back structuralmember having a first opening allowing access to a feature on the backportion of the electronic device when the electronic device is installedin the protective enclosure; a front structural member configured toengage with the back structural member to at least partially enclose theelectronic device, a portion of the front structural member configuredto cover the touchscreen of the installed electronic device, thetouchscreen being visible and operable through the portion of the frontstructural member when covered by the front structural member, the frontstructural member having clasping features that engage with claspingfeatures of the back structural member to removably engage the frontstructural member with the back structural member, the clasping featuresof the front structural member comprising a same material as the portionof the front structural member that covers the touchscreen of theinstalled electronic device; a first cushioning member disposable overthe engaged back and front structural members, the first cushioningmember having sufficient elasticity to stretch over and substantiallyconform to a portion of the outer surface of the engaged back structuralmember and the front structural member; and a second cushioning memberconfigured to conform to at least a portion of the internal surface ofthe back structural member, the second cushioning member configured tocushion the back portion and the side portions of the installedelectronic device.
 2. The protective enclosure of claim 1, the firstcushioning member having a second opening aligned with the first openingof the back structural member, the second cushioning member having athird opening aligned with the first opening of the back structuralmember and the second opening of the first cushioning member.
 3. Theprotective enclosure of claim 2, wherein a portion of the secondcushioning member extends through the first opening of the backstructural member and the second opening of the first cushioning member,the portion of the second cushioning member making contact with thefirst cushioning member.
 4. The protective enclosure of claim 1, thefront structural member having one or more feature openings configuredto extend along a perimeter of the touchscreen of the installedelectronic device, the feature openings aligned with one or morefeatures of the installed electronic device.
 5. The protective enclosureof claim 4, wherein the one or more features of the installed electronicdevice includes a speaker.
 6. The protective enclosure of claim 1, thefront structural member having a recessed area, the recessed areaincluding the portion of the front structural member that covers thetouchscreen of the installed electronic device.
 7. The protectiveenclosure of claim 6, the recessed area of the front structural memberhaving a beveled edge, the beveled edge configured to extend away fromthe touchscreen of the installed electronic device.
 8. A protectiveenclosure for an electronic device, the electronic device having a frontportion, a back portion, and side portions, the front portion of theelectronic device having a touchscreen, the protective enclosurecomprising: a hard shell that at least partially encloses the electronicdevice, the hard shell comprising: a back member formed to a shape ofthe back portion and the side portions of the electronic device; a frontmember formed to a shape of the front portion of the electronic deviceand including one or more clasping mechanisms for engaging the backmember, the front member formed as a single part, the front memberconfigured to cover the touchscreen of the electronic device when theelectronic device is installed in the protective enclosure, thetouchscreen being visible and operable when covered by the front member;an external cushioning member configured to at least partially cover thehard shell; and an internal cushioning member configured to extendbetween the back portion of the electronic device and an internalsurface of the back member of the hard shell, the internal cushioningmember extending along the side portions of the installed electronicdevice, wherein a portion of the internal cushioning member extendsthrough a first open area in the back member of the hard shell andthrough a second open area in the external cushioning member, theportion of the internal cushioning member configured to make contactwith an outer surface of the external cushioning member.
 9. Theprotective enclosure of claim 8, the front member of the hard shellhaving a thinner region, the thinner region including the portion of thefront member that covers the touchscreen on the installed electronicdevice.
 10. The protective enclosure of claim 9, the front member of thehard shell having an adhesive attached to an inner surface of thethinner region of the front member, the adhesive configured to makecontact with the touchscreen of the electronic device when theelectronic device is installed in the protective enclosure.
 11. Theprotective enclosure of claim 8, the hard shell further comprising anopening configured to extend along a top portion of the installedelectronic device, the opening of the hard shell allowing access to afeature of the installed electronic device.
 12. The protective enclosureof claim 11, the external cushioning member having an openingcorresponding to the opening of the hard shell, the external cushioningmember further having a perimeter portion surrounding the opening of theexternal cushioning member, the perimeter portion configured to extendfrom the external cushioning member through the opening of the hardshell and making contact with the installed electronic device.
 13. Theprotective enclosure of claim 11, wherein the feature of the electronicdevice is a microphone.
 14. The protective enclosure of claim 8, whereinthe internal cushioning member is adhered to the internal surface of theback member of the hard shell.
 15. A protective case for an electronicdevice, the protective case comprising: a hard shell having a firstshell member and a second shell member, the first and second shellmembers configured to snap together and encase at least a portion of theelectronic device when the electronic device is installed in the hardshell, the first shell member having a portion configured to cover atouchscreen on a front surface of the electronic device while permittingthe touchscreen to be visible and operable through the portion of thefirst shell member that covers the touchscreen, the portion of the firstshell member that covers the touchscreen being formed as part of thefirst shell member and from a same material as the material of the firstshell member, the portion of the shell member that covers thetouchscreen being thinner than a remainder of the first shell member andincluding a protective rim configured to surround the touchscreen of theinstalled electronic device, the protective rim configured to preventthe thinner portion of the first shell member of the hard shell fromtouching an external surface when the protective case is resting on afront portion of the protective case; a first cushion layer disposedover at least a portion of the hard shell, the first cushion layerhaving sufficient elasticity to substantially conform to the hard shell;and a second cushion layer disposed between the second shell member ofthe hard shell and a back surface of the electronic device.
 16. Theprotective case of claim 15, the thinner portion of the first shellmember further including a feature opening, the feature openingconfigured to surround a home button of the installed electronic device.17. The protective case of claim 15, the first shell member of the hardshell comprising an injection compression molded plastic.
 18. Theprotective case of claim 15 wherein the material that comprises thefirst shell member and the portion of the first shell member that coversthe touchscreen is a transparent material.